Dallas Seniors Trapped: Elevator Crisis at Goldmark Apartments
Elderly and disabled residents at the Tuscany at Goldmark Apartments in North Dallas are facing a severe crisis as both of their building’s elevators have been out of service for three weeks. This ongoing issue has left many tenants struggling with daily life, prompting an investigation by the City of Dallas’s Fair Housing Division.
The Ongoing Crisis at Tuscany at Goldmark
The two elevators, critical for residents to navigate the five-floor building, have been non-functional for an extended period. While the current outage spans three weeks, tenants report that elevator problems have been a recurring issue for over two years, creating significant hardship for the community.
A Daily Struggle for Residents
The impact on the senior and disabled community is profound. Brian Embry’s 78-year-old father, who suffers from sciatic nerve issues and a herniated disc, finds ascending and descending stairs extremely difficult. A 93-year-old tenant on the fifth floor was forced to cancel holiday travel plans due to the lack of safe accessibility, and another resident postponed hip replacement surgery until the elevators are fixed. Many require assistance, even from DART drivers, to carry essential groceries to their units, highlighting a “crisis” affecting as many as 184 tenants.
Official and Community Response
The severity of the situation caught the attention of local news, leading to the City of Dallas’s Fair Housing Division launching an investigation. A new sign posted at the complex confirms this official action, a direct result of CBS News Texas exposing the problem.
State Representative Ana-Maria Ramos Steps In
State Representative Ana-Maria Ramos became aware of the issue through the CBS News Texas report and has actively engaged to find solutions. She has reached out to multiple state agencies, including the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Health and Human Services (HHSC), and Adult Protective Services, as well as the City Council, to ensure residents’ safety and protection. Ramos noted that the story “hits close to home for many, many families,” especially during the holiday season.
The community has also rallied, with volunteers stepping up to assist residents with critical needs like grocery runs and dog walking, demonstrating solidarity in a challenging time.
Management’s View vs. Residents’ Reality
AOG Living, the apartment’s management company, provided a statement to CBS News Texas, explaining their efforts. They claim to have immediately contacted the manufacturer for service and remain in daily communication as they work to source necessary replacement parts, which are currently on backorder. Additionally, they state they’ve contracted a professional assistance service to help residents with daily needs.
However, Representative Ramos and residents argue that ordering parts is insufficient. They advocate for a more comprehensive solution, urging the management company to “replace the whole system” to prevent these recurring outages and ensure residents do not face this crisis “over and over again.”
| Problem for Residents | Management Action / Promise |
|---|---|
| No elevator access for weeks | Manufacturer contacted for service |
| Physical strain from stairs | Daily communication for parts |
| Canceled holiday travel | Sourcing backordered replacement parts |
| Delayed critical medical care | Contracted professional assistance service |
| Recurring system failures | Call for entire system replacement |
What’s Next for Dallas Seniors?
The City of Dallas’s Fair Housing Division investigation is ongoing, and local officials like State Rep. Ramos continue their advocacy for the affected residents. The focus remains on pressuring AOG Living to implement a lasting solution that goes beyond temporary fixes, ensuring the safety and dignity of the elderly and disabled tenants at Tuscany at Goldmark Apartments.
With community support and official attention, the hope is for a permanent resolution that safeguards the well-being of these vulnerable Dallas residents, especially as the holiday season approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the main issue at Tuscany at Goldmark Apartments?
Both elevators in one of the five-floor buildings have been out of service for three weeks, trapping elderly and disabled residents. - How long have residents been affected by elevator problems?
While the current outage is three weeks, some residents report ongoing issues for more than two years since they moved in. - What is the City of Dallas doing about this situation?
The City of Dallas’s Fair Housing Division has launched an official investigation into the apartment complex. - What is the apartment management’s response?
AOG Living states they’ve contacted the manufacturer, are in daily communication about backordered parts, and have hired a service to assist residents. - How are local officials and the community helping?
State Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos is coordinating with various state and local agencies, and community volunteers are providing assistance with groceries and other daily needs.
This incident underscores the vital importance of maintaining safe and accessible living conditions for all residents, especially our elderly and disabled community members. Dallas locals can stay informed and consider supporting local initiatives that advocate for tenant rights and elderly care.
Dallas Seniors Trapped by Elevator Outage
